Claire WhitakerBy Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

HECO net energy metering is the program Hawaiian Electric uses to credit homeowners for solar electricity they send back to the grid. In this guide, you will learn what the program covers, how to confirm your system qualifies, how export credits show up on your bill, and what to check so you are not surprised by a charge. The rules have changed over the years, so this walkthrough focuses on the current framework and the practical steps homeowners actually take.

What HECO Net Energy Metering Covers

Hawaiian Electric (often shortened to HECO) serves Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawaii Island through its utility subsidiaries. When you install a grid-tied rooftop system, the utility meter runs in two directions. Electricity you draw from the grid at night or on cloudy days is billed, and electricity your panels export during the day earns credits. Those credits offset the cost of power you import later.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Dominion Energy Net Metering vs Battery Backup: Which Should You Choose?.

Hawaii has moved away from the original full-retail credit model. Newer customers generally fall under a grid-supply or self-supply structure that pays a lower export rate, which makes system sizing and battery planning more important than they were under older rules. Before you design anything, confirm which tariff applies to your account, because the math depends heavily on it.

Step 1: Confirm Your System Is Eligible

Eligibility depends on the type of interconnection, the size of your system, and the date your application was approved. Homes with a grid-tied system that meets utility interconnection standards are the usual case. Off-grid systems do not participate in this program at all.

Check these items before you move forward:

  • Your system is grid-tied with an inverter that meets the utility’s listed interconnection standard.
  • The total system size falls within the limits published for your island and feeder circuit.
  • Your property is a single-family or eligible residential account in Hawaiian Electric’s service territory.
  • Your installer has submitted the interconnection application before the system is energized.
  • You have not already reached a program capacity limit for your area.

Capacity limits are the most common reason homeowners end up on a different tariff than they expected. Ask your installer for the feeder capacity status in writing.

Step 2: Understand How Export Credits Are Calculated

Your bill has two main components: the energy you imported and the energy you exported. Under the current structure for many customers, exported kilowatt-hours are valued at a set rate that is lower than the rate you pay for imported power. This difference is why the timing of your consumption matters.

Here is a simple example using made-up round numbers to show the logic, not actual tariff rates:

Time of day Solar production Home use Result
10:00 a.m. 6 kWh produced 2 kWh used 4 kWh exported and credited
7:00 p.m. 0 kWh produced 3 kWh used 3 kWh imported and billed

In this scenario, daytime exports partly offset evening imports, but the credit value may not match the charge for power you draw at night. Homeowners who run heavy loads during the day, such as air conditioning, see better results because more of their production is used on site.

Step 3: Choose the Right System Design

Sizing a system for HECO net energy metering is different from sizing one for a full-retail credit state. Consider these design factors:

  1. Review at least 12 months of your utility bills to find your average daily consumption.
  2. Estimate how much of that load falls during daylight hours.
  3. Decide whether you want to self-consume most of your output or export the surplus.
  4. Evaluate battery storage if evening usage is high and export rates are low.
  5. Ask your installer for a production estimate based on your roof orientation and shading.

Many owners on lower export tariffs add a battery so they can shift stored midday energy into the evening peak. Whether that pays off depends on your load profile and the rates in effect when you install, so run the numbers for your own house.

Step 4: Set Up Monitoring and Track Your Bill

Once your system is operating, log in to your utility account and compare monthly import and export totals against your inverter’s production data. Small differences are normal because of meter timing and cloud cover, but large gaps usually point to a configuration problem or a failing component.

Keep a simple spreadsheet with these columns: month, kWh imported, kWh exported, bill total, and inverter production. After three or four months you will see patterns that tell you whether your system design is working.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming old credit rates still apply. Confirm your current tariff rather than relying on neighbors’ experiences.
  • Oversizing for net bill zero without checking export value. A larger array may not earn as much as you expect.
  • Turning on the system before approval. Interconnection must be authorized first.
  • Ignoring shading changes. New trees or structures can cut production without an obvious alarm.
  • Forgetting to update equipment records. Inverter swaps can affect your interconnection paperwork.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Program

  • Schedule heavy appliances like water heaters and EV charging for midday when panels are producing.
  • Compare tariff options whenever the utility publishes new rate schedules.
  • Keep copies of your interconnection approval and all inspection reports.
  • Ask your installer about remote monitoring so you catch faults early.

A whole-home energy monitor helps you see when your panels produce and when your house draws power, which is the data you need to judge your export and import balance. Look for models that can track both circuits and show net flow in real time.

  • Sense Energy Monitor helps you match appliance use against solar production over the day. View on Amazon
  • Emporia Vue 3 Energy Monitor gives circuit-level usage data that makes it easier to shift loads to midday. View on Amazon
  • Shelly EM Energy Meter offers flexible monitoring for owners who want to log import and export data on their own. View on Amazon

Each of these is useful for tracking your bill against production, so pick the one that matches the level of detail you want.

FAQ

Is HECO net energy metering still available?

Hawaiian Electric has changed its export structure over time, and many newer customers are on a different tariff than earlier participants. Check with the utility for the current options available to your address.

Do I pay for electricity I use at night?

Yes. Power you draw from the grid when your panels are not producing is billed at the applicable rate, even if you exported energy earlier in the day.

Can I add a battery to my system?

You can, but battery installations must be reviewed under the utility’s interconnection process. Confirm the requirements before purchasing equipment.

How do I know if my system is over the program limit?

Ask the utility for feeder capacity information and request written confirmation of your tariff eligibility.

What happens to credits I have not used?

Credit treatment depends on the tariff and billing rules in effect for your account. Review your monthly statements to see how surplus energy is handled.

Does shading affect my credits?

Yes. Shading reduces production, which lowers the energy you can export or use on site, so it can reduce credits.

Should I hire a professional for my interconnection application?

Interconnection and electrical work should be handled by a licensed electrician and a qualified solar installer. Consult them and the utility before making decisions about system size or tariff choice.

Conclusion

HECO net energy metering rewards homeowners who understand how their production and consumption line up across the day. Confirm your tariff, size your system around your real load, and monitor your bill against inverter data. Review your setup whenever the utility updates its rules, because the value of your exports can change over time.

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Claire Whitaker

About Claire Whitaker

Claire Whitaker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our home solar guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.